Reel construction



Oct. 11, 1966 R. A. BLACK 3,278,135

REEL CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 20, 1964 United States Patent The present invention relates to a novel reel, and more specifically to a novel storage reel for articles such as wire, rope, tubing, cable and the like.

Storage reels heretofore used for wire, rope, tubing,

8 cable and the like have frequently been made from wood or metal. Such heretofore proposed reels are relatively expensive and heavy and are frequently large and bulky and difficult and expensive to ship or store prior to use thereof.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage reel for articles such as wire, rope, tubing, cable and the like, which reel is constructed so as to promote more economical packaging of such articles.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage reel which is relatively economical and light in weight as compared with many heretofore proposed reels.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage reel which is adapted to be shipped or stored in a knocked down flattened condition prior to use and which may be quickly and easily assembled by the user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage reel of the above described type which is adapted to be constructed essentially from foldable sheet material.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG, 1 is a perspective view showing a novel storage reel incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a novel storage reel in a partially assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sheet material blank utilized for forming a central or drum portion of a storage reel incorporating features of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet material blank for forming an end member of a storage reel incorporating features of the present invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a storage reel 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in a completely assembled condition in FIG. 1 and comprises a central tubular core or drum member 12 and opposite end members 14 and 16. In accordance with a feature of the present invention all of the members 12, 14, and 16 are adapted to be made from sheet material. More specifically, these members are preferably formed from a corrugated fibreboard or paperboard.

As shown in FIG. 5, the member 12 is adapted to be formed initially as a flat blank of the sheet material having a plurality of side segments 18 integrally articulated to each other along parallel spaced scored bend lines 20. Opposite ends of the side segments 18 are respectively defined by parallel bend lincs 22 and 24 which extend at right angles to the bend lines 20. Holes 21 are formed in certain of the side segments 18 for retaining inner ends of articles wound on the reel.

Opposite end flaps 26 and 28 are respectively articulated 3,278,135 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 to opposite ends of the side segments 18 along the scored bend lines 22 and 24. The end flaps 26 are separated from each other along slits 30 which extend as continuations of the bend lines 20 outwardly from the bend lines 22. The end flaps 28 are similarly separated from each other along slits 32 extending outwardly from the bend lines 24.

The end member 14 is also adapted to be formed initially as a flat blank as shown in FIG. 6. This member comprises an outer side section 34 and an inner side section 36. The sections 34 and 36 have outer peripheral edges which are preferably similar in size and shape and which are integrally joined to each other by a foldable hinge section 38. In the embodiment shown, the side sections 34 and 36 have circular peripheral configurations of uniform diameter.

The outer side section 34 is provided with a relatively small central aperture 40 which is adapted to receive a shaft or spindle, not shown, on which the reel may be mounted during winding of a wire or other article thereon or the removal of the article therefrom. The inner side section 36 is formed with a relatively large aperture 42 having a diameter similar to the exterior diameter of the finished core or drum member 12. Furthermore, the aperture 42 is formed with a plurality of substantially straight chordally extending edge segments 44 which have a length similar to the width of the side segments 18 of the core or drum member 12 for the purpose described more fully below.

The side section 34 and 36 further include small apertures 46 and 48 adjacent outer margins thereof. These apertures are adapted to align with each other when the end member 14 is in a fully assembled condition and are adapted to receive and retain the outer terminal end of the article wound on the reel. Additional small apertures 50 and 52 in the side sections 34 and 36 are also adapted to align with each other when the end member 14 is in the fully assembled condition. These apertures are located adjacent the inner margin of the inner side member 36 and are adapted to receive a pin of a driving mechanism, not shown, which may be used for rotating the reel for winding a wire or other article thereon or for unwinding the article therefrom.

The end member 16 is identical to but oppositely disposed from the end member 14 and need not be described in detail. In other words, the blank shown in FIG. 6 may be used for the end member 16 as well as the end member 14 and therefore identical reference numerals have been applied to corresponding elements of the end member 16. It is understood, of course, that two of the end member blanks as shown in FIG. 6 are required for each reel.

When assembling the reel structure, the core member 12 is first partially folded along the bend lines 20 in order to bring opposite end edges 54 and 56 thereof into juxtaposition and provide a tube as shown in FIGS. 14. Then the edges 54 and 56 are secured in a fixed relationship by means of a tape 57 or other suitable fastening devices.

It will be appreciated when the member 12 is folded and rolled into the tubular configuration as described above, the opposite end flaps 26 and 28 will normally remain in the planes of their associated side segments 18 and thus initially provide continuations of the tubular structure. The opposite end members 14 and 16 may be assembled over opposite ends of the tubular structure by inserting the flaps into the openings 42 in the inner side sections 36 of the opposite end members 14 and 16 or, in other words, by sliding the end sections 36 of the opposite end members over the ends of the tubular core structure and past the bend lines 22 and 24 as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The outer side sections 34 are secured to the inner side actions 36 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fastening devices 58. In the embodiment shown, the fastening devices 58 are staples and are applied to the side sections 34 and 36 radially outwardly of the flaps 26 and 28. With this structure it is seen that the core mem ber 12 and the opposite end members mutually support and reinforce each other and the end members are retained in assembled relationship with the core member by the flaps 26 and 28. It is to be noted that the aforementioned inner edge segments 44 on the side sections 36 interengage with the flap side segments 18 as shown best in FIG. 4, whereby the core member and end members are interlocked against rotation relative to each other.

From the above description it is seen that the members 12, 14 and 16 of the reel structure may be easily assembled and secured only with the aid of simple fastening means such as tape and staples. As a result, the structure is not only economical to produce and assemble, but the reel structure may be stored or shipped in a knocked down flattened condition with the blanks for the member 12, 14, 16 in a flat, compact package and the structure may then be easily assembled by the ultimate user.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A storage reel for wire, rope, tubing, cable and the like comprising a tubular core member, and opposite radially extending end members connected to opposite end portions of said core member, said core member comprising a single piece of sheet material including a plurality of generally cylindrically arranged axially extending substantially flat side segments integrally articulated to each other along generally axially extending bend lines, said core member including a plurality of annularly arranged radially extending opposite end flaps integrally joined to opposite ends of said side segments, each of said end members comprising a single piece of sheet material including inner and outer side sections, said inner side sections respectively being disposed around said core member side segments and along inwardly facing surfaces of said opposite end flaps, said inner side sections of said end members including substantially straight inner marginal edge portions engaging said flat side segments and restraining rotation of said end members relative to said core member, and said outer side sections respectively overlying outwardly facing surfaces of said flaps, and a circumferentially narrow foldable hinge section integrally joining first marginal hinge portions of said inner and outer side sections, and a plurality of fastener means securing said outer side sections respectively to said inner side sections at a plurality of locations circumferentially spaced from said hinge sections.

2. A reel, as defined in claim 1, which includes central aperture means in said outer side section having a diameter substantially less than an internal diameter of said annular inner side section and adapted to receive a reel supporting spindle.

3. A reel, as defined in claim 1, which includes aligned apertures in said inner and outer side sections adjacent outer peripheries thereof for receiving and retaining an end of an article such as wire, rope, tubing or cable wound on the reel.

4. A reel, as defined in claim 1, which includes aligned aperture means in said inner and outer side sections adjacent said core member and in general alignment with said end flaps for accommodating a drive element for turning the reel.

5. A reel, as defined in claim 1, which includes aperture means in said core member for receiving and retaining an end of an article such as a wire, rope, tubing or cable wound on said reel,

6. A reel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener means securing said outer side section to said inner side section comprises a plurality of annularly spaced staples extending betweensaid side sections adjacent to and spaced radially inwardly from peripheral edges thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 335,749 2/ 1886 Fries 242--118.7 492,657 2/1893 Bohringer 2421 1 8.8 671,446 4/ 1901 Lorscheider 242-1 18.7 2,170,334 8/1939 Lacks. 3,059,763 10/ 1962 Eifrid 242--1l8.8

FOREIGN PATENTS 663,764 12/ 1951 Great Britain.

FMNK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

G. F. MAUTZ, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 278, 135 October 11, 1966 Richard A. Black It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, between lines 68 and 69, insert the paragraph:

The end flaps 26 and 28 are manually folded along the bend lines 22 and 24 so as to project generally radially outwardly along the end sections 36 of the opposite end members as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When the end flaps have been folded in this manner, the outer side sections 34 of the opposite end members 14 and 16 are folded along the hinge elements 38 so as to overlie these flaps 26 and 28 and abut their respective inner side sections 36.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of September 1967 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A STORAGE REEL FOR WIRE, ROPE, TUBING, CABLE AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A TUBULAR CORE MEMBER, AND OPPOSITE RADIALLY EXTENDING END MEMBERS CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE END PORTIONS OF SAID CORE MEMBER, SAID CORE MEMBER COMPRISING A SINGLE PIECE OF SHEET MATERIAL INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL ARRANGED AXIALLY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SIDE SEGMENTS INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED TO EACH OTHER ALONG GENERALLY AXIAL EXTENDING BEND LINES, SAID CORE MEMBER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ANNULARLY ARRANGED RADIALLY EXTENDING OPPOSITE END FLAPS INTEGRALLY JOINED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SIDE SEGMENTS, EACH OF SAID END MEMBERS COMPRISING A SINGLE PIECE OF SHEET MATERIAL INCLUDING INNER AND OUTER SIDE SECTIONS, SAID INNER SIDE SECTIONS RESPECTIVELY BEING DISPOSED AROUND SAID CORE MEMBER SIDE SEGMENTS AND ALONG INWARDLY FACING SURFACES OF SAID OPPOSITE END FLAPS, SAID INNER SIDE SECTIONS OF SAID END MEMBERS INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT INNER MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS ENGAGING SAID FLAT SIDE SEGMENTS AND RESTRAINING ROTATION OF SAID END MEMBERS RELATIVE TO SAID CORE MEMBER, AND SAID OUTER SIDE SECTIONS RESPECTIVELY OVERLYING OUTWARDLY FACING SURFACES OF SAID FLAPS, AND A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY NARROW FOLDABLE HINGE SECTION INTEGRALLY JOINING FIRS MARGINAL HINGE PORTIONS OF SAID INNER AND OUTER SIDE SECTIONS, AND A PLURALITY OF FASTENER MEANS SECURING SAID OUTER SIDE SECTIONS RESPECTIVELY TO SAID INNER SIDE SECTIONS AT A PLURALITY OF LOCATIONS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED FROM SAID HINGE SECTIONS. 